David Creel: To conceal, or not to conceal

Concealer ... it''s a gal''s best friend. It comes in a myriad of forms and a rainbow of skin tones, so if you are burning the midnight oil or just prone to under-eye circles, then you are in luck.

Whether the concealer of your liking comes in a creamy consistency in a small container just big enough for a concealer brush or fingertip, or even if it comes as a stick, the magic is in the application. Makeup artists will differ on the "how," but all agree that it''s worth it.

The swollen blood vessels and broken veins underneath the thin, fragile skin of the eye become more apparent due to fatigue, stress and genetics. But thanks to the innovative approach of leading cosmetics companies, there are flesh-colored friends to help.

Tap lightly onto the darkest areas first with a shade that is the most like your natural skin coloring. If in doubt, just go one shade lighter than your foundation. Do not make the mistake most do of blending away the product with your fingertips or brush. Allow the concealer to sit for as long as it takes you to count to 10 and then feather the outer edges with a patting and blotting technique. The warmth of the fingertips will aid in the ease of application because the body''s natural heat melts and softens the concealer for more spreadability.

I prefer a camouflage brush especially designed for the tiny, hard-to-get-to areas of the eyes. The corners, both inner and outer, are a cinch with a brush and the silky bristles of the brush are genius.

When trying to cover last night''s third martini or an early rise-and-shine, another mistake women make is putting too much concealer on the face. Remember that a little goes a long way. It''s possible to get too much of a good thing. We don''t want reverse raccoon eyes, now do we? If that happens, just press some loose powder or your usual foundation over the area to diffuse the situation. Oh, and if you have fine lines and wrinkles around the outer corners of the eyelids, please tread lightly and approach with caution. In fact, when making up the face, I tend to avoid these areas altogether by putting the concealer on the upper lids first (makes an excellent eye shadow base), and then I tap on a small dot at the middle of the bottom lid, blending into the inner corners. Treat the outer eye as a no trespassing zone, especially where concealer is concerned.

One last trick for concealer is stroking a sheer hint down the bridge of the nose after foundation has been done for a flawless finish every time, guaranteed.

Color is king where concealers rule the land of battling epic under-eye dramas. One shade lighter than your natural skin tone is ideal. Grab hues with a hint of warmth, look for words like "warm" or "golden" on the labels, and these friends will erase dark circles right before your very eyes. To conceal or not to conceal, that is the question. But if you do, do it beautifully for crying out loud!

Former Columbus resident David Creel owns Beautiful With David salon in Jackson and has 20 years experience in the beauty industry. Contact him at beautifulwithdavid@gmail.com.